Red Sox release A.J. Pierzynski

One week after they designated catcher A.J. Pierzynski for assignment, the Red Sox announced that they had released the 37-year-old.

Pierzynski, signed by the Red Sox this offseason to a one-year, $8.25 million contract with the hope that he would offer solid offensive production against right-handed pitching while serving as a one-year placeholder to permit prospect Christian Vazquez to conclude his development in the minor leagues, hit .254 with a .286 OBP and .348 slugging mark in 72 games. That offensive struggle, according to GM Ben Cherington, was at the heart of the team’s decision to release Pierzynski and call up Christian Vazquez in the final days of the first half.